Heck of a party IV: Old frames

It was already an hour and a half past midnight. The night was getting pretty cold. It was another Friday night on Eastpave, at this time there was no more activity in most of town. Barely few cars passing on the empty roads. A black sport car was running fast under the street lamps. Eddy was driving for a little while now, beside him on the passenger seat, Emma sitting with barely enough spirit to feel afraid. She was silent, rigid yet shaking, her eyes were almost empty. She seemed to feel nothing at the moment, perhaps resignation. She was being driven God knows where, with nothing but her night dress and the shepherd coat to protect her from the harsh weather. The latter glanced at her.

Eddy: "Do you remember the deal?"

The frail female could only nod, too weak to speak.

Eddy: "good girl. Remember, as long as you do as I say, I can assure your protection"

A single tear was shed by the doe, she looked through the window, not really at anything. The shepherd put a hand on her leg.

Eddy: "Hey, it's okay, you gonna be fine"

He smiled brightly. The doe felt her heart shred even more. That smile, so sincere...genuine almost angelic. She fell for it and now it only brought pain and hatred yet...somehow she felt the warmth and goodness in that smile. She despised him more than anything yet he was still the one who got her out of her misery and melancholy...now he was the reason she was insecure, self ashamed, sad, broken, miserable...helpless.

It wasn't long before they reached a building full of light. It was vibrant with life, as many people were rushing in and out of it. The building was a restaurant with royal blue and black hues. It was one of the most successful one in the town and had the highest class of clientele. Cars of the finest luxury stopping to drop the biggest people of the city and their family.

Although it seems weird that a restaurant was active this late, this particular one's clientele obliged them work till 3 AM. It then closes and reopens around 1 PM. Due to such a schedule, the building was designed so that the people working there could all live inside. Some of them eventually still chose to live out of their workplace. Emma looked at the restaurant and seemed very confused, she looked at the shepherd who had a faint smile. He sighed before talking.

Eddy: "ok we're here."

He undid his seat belt and turn off the engine. He then got out of the car, and walked to her side. He opened the door and extended his hand with his usual warm smile.

Eddy: "would you please?"

The doe was having none of it and simply stared.

Eddy: "Come on Emma, it's a bit cold so we better get in"

He smiled again and she finally accepted his hand. She walked out the car, and crossed his arm with hers as they walked towards the doors of the restaurant. They were met with a buffy bear at the entrance with a security uniform. He glanced down through his black glasses and saw the duo before stepping aside "Boss" he said as Eddy just chuckled "I told you to relax Mark, no need to be so formal" The bear gave a smile and nodded then looked down at the little doe.

Mark: "Greetings, miss" (*bowing slightly*)

Eddy: "This is Emma, my girlfriend I told you about"

The bear eyes widened for a split second and he looked away before speaking again.

Mark: "I see, then it's a pleasure for me to meet such a beautiful young woman"

The doe looked at him as if daggers could literally lunged at him but simply ignored him. Nothing was having any sense right now, and absolutely not the behavior of Eddy. For unknown reasons, he was acting way too nicely, almost like how he uses to. Seeing her coldness, Eddy chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck.

Eddy: "Sorry, she is a bit tensed. She is really cool with people normally."

Mark: "it's okay, she does seem adorable. Maybe I'm a bit scary (*laughing heartedly*)"

Eddy then proceed to walk in with Emma. The restaurant was just sumptuous to say the least. A white marble floor, and greek beams wonderfully placed almost as if the place was a museum. Statues from the ancient times were also part of the decoration. The more Emma looked at it and the more she felt transported to a time long gone. It didn't seem to be all greek themed though, depending on the cardinal direction you took, there was a period of time that was specific and the design of that area was also following.

The North was representing the ancient greece with all those beams and Statues, it was also the entrance of the restaurant, so the impact was powerful. The East was quite the journey towards the Edo period of Japan with a set of tables and display proper to traditional Japanese culture. Some kabuto, old Japanese helmets were also the center of attention as part of that area decoration on the walls that also had paintings very immersive.

From where Emma was standing, she couldn't see the West area or the south which seemed to even be upstairs. They were walking to the reception and Eddy looked down at her.

Eddy: "It always has this effect (*chuckling*) It's quite cool right?"

Emma couldn't help but nod despite her confusion and hatred towards the shepherd that was fading slowly with each passing seconds in this wonderful place. The receptionist, a small female sheep greeted them with a beaming smile, the name Claris was written on a golden badge.

Claris: "Welcome to the Epoch, how may I he-"

She stopped as she realized who was before her and she seemed a bit stressed.

Claris: "Boss...Hello"

She joined her hands nervously and looked up at the shepherd that just gave her a smile.

Eddy: "Claris, hope work is not too hard on you it's pretty full tonight"

Claris: "It's alright sir, I give it my all"

Eddy: "I know you do (*smiling*) huh a reservation for two on my name"

Claris: "Sir, you know you don't need to reserve your seats..."

Eddy: "I know, but it's too extravagant and arrogant, isn't it? I rather go as a normal client"

Claris just nodded and looked at the pad on front of her and clicked on some buttons. She then looked up again.

Claris: "North section, VIP table 1, the table is already set and your waiters are already there as well. Sir, if you need anything else you just have to ask"

Eddy: "I will Claris, thanks"

Claris wanted to ask a waiter to guide the shepherd but he chuckled saying he already knew how to reach his table.

Emma looked around, the people gathered here were mostly elders. They wore fancy clothes and had conversations of stuff Emma didn't know about, or more precisely their speech were of another level of english.

She started to feel really small, a bit underdressed for such a place but then again, the shepherd never mention where they were heading, just the people she will be meeting...thinking about that brought back her anxiety and her hand unconsciously gripped tighter on the shepherd ones and he noticed. He rubbed his thumb on her fingers reassuringly as they kept walking. Emma was shocked at such a gesture but didn't got the time to say a word as they reached their table. Eddy let go of her hand and pulled out a chair for her to sit.

Eddy: "Me lady"

He removed her coat and she looked at him with confusion and a frown before sitting, he lifted the chair effortlessly and brought it closer to the table. Sometimes his strength was really terrifying. He was tall yes, but he wasn't particularly buff like the bear they met at the entrance for instance. The tablecloth was white and some pearl white tiny stones were disposed on the table. There was like a tiny faucet and a small statue from which vase water was flooding out calmly. It was like a tiny fountain on the table. The plates were iridescent with some golden lines, even the silverware just as marvelous. The table was gorgeously presented, even compared to the other tables she saw earlier.

The shepherd sat across the table and had a goofy smile which of course was really reminding Emma of their very first date.

~

Emma was having a rough time cleaning her uniform dress from the ink that splattered on it. Her friends...or more specifically, her once friends, were now her nightmare. It's been two years since they started bullying her. Actually she knew what was the reason, around two years ago, a senior of high-school approached her. He was the star of the basketball team of their school, so her best friend Camille quickly got a crush on him during one of the match of their school against another states.

During that match, the senior was playing wonderfully and had looked their way and flashed a smile. Camille thought it was meant for her, since she always believed to be the prettiest girl, and she was indeed the prettiest amongst the two. Emma was kind of a nerd. Shy, silent, and unable to have a conversation with anyone besides Camille since they almost grew up together as they knew since kindergarten.

Eventually, Emma could talk to some more people that were friends with Camille but just few words. So it was kind of a shock when the senior, a german shepherd with such a handsome smile and dazzling look came to her instead of Camille. He didn't ask her out but just wanted to know her more since he heard about her last chess tournament. He was also a good player of chess and they were to duel at one point or another. He was intrigued by her ability, that's how he went to talk to her despite her not so beautiful appearance. She wasn't ugly, but puberty wasn't on her side, she was shorter and her fur still had white and lighter brown spots on the forehead like children of her species. Camille was faking a smile and happiness for her friend. She didn't take it bad until two days later...Emma was being asked in front of the entire school by the shepherd for prom.

The relationship with the shepherd clicked almost instantly, he was kind and funny, very funny. He would always be curious about Emma, asking her stuff as stupid as what kind of pencils she thought smelled better. It was really refreshing to Emma, for the first time in her life, she was getting out of her shell, beaming with joy. Her radiance was so great that impacted her self esteem. She had someone else than Camille she could talk to...it was even more powerful, she could be herself.

They were similar, they both grew up with modest families, although the shepherd Father got luckier and his restaurant started having a name of its own. But it didn't change the behavior of the shepherd that was still humble and if anything not attached to money. He liked spending time with Emma, going as far as trying to leave his classes to just hug her in the hallway. It was a genuine love and care...Camille was seeing less and less her friend and she knew what was the reason and it was pissing her off. How could someone like Emma could bag a handsome guy like Eddy Hills? She started raging but couldn't show it, at the same time, Emma was still her best friend and her closest one...it hurt her to see her drifting away but she was happier than ever. Months passed and the gap kept increasing until communication with her was barely through texts. Emma also seemed to realize she was leaving her friend so she started hanging out with her more, like in the old days. But the shepherd was also now a big part of her life so he was sometimes present and it didn't ravish Camille that started getting jealous the more she saw them so happy..."it should have been me" She thought every day until prom...That day, Camille plotted such a terrible scheme, in front of the entire dancing crowd on the stage, she threw paints on her. Emma was soaked as she was about to get her award. A projector then started running images of Emma...edited in a bad way to mock her as a smartass. Emma started having a panic attack as she cried, drowning in the laughter of the crowd...she ran away to the school's yard quickly followed by Eddy. He looked at her with pain and hugged her close patting her head with care. She cried softly but he promised "Hey It's okay, you gonna be fine"

~

Emma looked down.

Emma: "What is the meaning of all this?"

She threw daggers at him with her stare. He almost flinched. He quickly looked away blushing. His tail wagged behind him. She remembered that too, he was always so timid when she was having tantrum, and somehow he liked when she was mad saying she looked cute. They used to laugh at that...but now she was dead serious. The shepherd looked down then at her with that same gentle smile of his.

Eddy: "well...huh. (*snapping his finger*)

As he did that, waiters started coming in troops while he himself cleared his throat.

Eddy: "well...you forgot?"

Emma looked at him with anger.

Emma: "what?"

The waiters got around the table and started snapping their fingers in rhythm and humming. Eddy giggled and a waiter came from behind while singing Happy birthday holding a beautiful hazelnut chocolate cake lit with sparkling candles. The entire restaurant went dark so it shine alone. Emma was flabbergasted, as the cake was getting placed before her on the table. The fireworks like candle almost lighting one in her heart, as the golden light beamed on her face. She looked at it then at the shepherd who took her tiny hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb on it. He had the softest smile he ever gave her since ages. The light turned on again, and people were looking at them. The waiters were looking too, expectantly. He then cleared his throat.

Eddy: "it seems...you forgot but i can't blame you (*looked down a bit, pain apparent*) but today...it's your birthday...Happy birthday Emmarshmallow"

He smiled and closed his eyes. She didn't realize but tears were falling from her eyes. She couldn't feel any anger at the moment, she wasn't sure of what she was feeling. After all, the shepherd was someone else till some few minutes ago...Her tears were starting to fall on her dress. She stared at him, and it seemed that time went back and she was looking at the shepherd she fell for in high-school, the one that always got her back, the one she could really rely on, the one she trusted more than anyone else, the one that could make her laugh in hard times, the one that breathed hot on her hands during winter, the guy that was clumsy and could sometimes fall from bed. She cried, hot streams of tears falling. He got up from his seat and walked to her, he crooked and hugged her tightly. She cried in his chest as he patted her head, like that day.

Eddy: "Hey, it's okay. You gonna be fine"

.

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It was being sometimes now since they talked, the panda got up and said he probably should join back his group and the duo parted with him. They sat there now alone. Matthew sighed content and lied down on his back. He closed his eyes and hummed happily. Wyatt couldn't remove his eyes from him. He was captivated by him. He felt something but didn't know what, or so, he said to himself when he knew damn well what it was but just refused to acknowledge it. The alligator then his chest reverberated.

Matthew: "He was kind of socially awkward (*chuckling*) like you"

Wyatt jolted at his voice and looked away.

Wyatt: "I'm not...well not all the time, it depends..."

Matthew: "If you say so....Wyatt...can i ask you something ?"

Wyatt's heart started racing and it doubled when the alligator sat again and looked at him seriously. He gulped then nodded.

Matthew: "It might be a bit personal and I don't want to step on your boundaries"

Wyatt: "If it's too much I will say so..."

Matthew: "So...when I was at your place, I'm sorry but i couldn't help but look around a bit, i didn't enter anywhere don't worry...I just looked around...and I noticed there's only one picture of your family... and it was in your room..."

Wyatt felt what question was about to be asked, he looked nervous and his grip tightened on his legs.

Wyatt: "Yes?"

Matthew: "Sorry if I'm being too forward....you've only mentioned your father...what about your mother...and your brother, I assumed it was your brother, he looked just like you"

Wyatt looked in the distance, sadness crawling on his face.

Matthew: "Sorry...I shouldn't have asked...I was just curious...I didn't me-"

Wyatt: "They ...are not here anymore...."

Matthew: "I'm sorry Wyatt..."

Wyatt: "I was younger...He was supposed to attend some sort of gathering of science..."

Matthew: "Your brother ?"

Wyatt: "yes"

Matthew just looked at him, guilt formed on his heart...he was making him feel bad, again.

Wyatt: "He was my bestfriend. We used to play a lot after his studies. My father would let me go with him to high-school, just so I could spend time with him..."

A tear formed on Wyatt's left eye. Matthew felt like stopping him but the shepherd continued before he could talk.

Wyatt: "When I think about it...you both have the same smile"

Matthew: "We do?"

Wyatt: "Yes...it feels warm, safe"

The gator felt his face warm up.

Wyatt: "it's reassuring...He was always there for me...when he....(*sighing*) we had a dream to work together with our father and (*chuckling*) build a super hero"

Matthew: "A super hero?"

Wyatt: "Yes, my brother used to think the world needed something to protect it, a symbol, he was funny about it but i was so happy with him and our father said we would one day build it when I grow up old enough to hold a laser without cutting myself"

Matthew chuckled and so did Wyatt.

Wyatt: "Yeah...it was our biggest dream...Jack wanted to call him W.O.L.F.R.A.M. Wonder Only Lights Free Realms Across the Multiverse...(*chuckling*) it was brought up by a twelve years old kid, genius or not, he was still a child after all..."

Matthew: "He seemed to be quite a good brother"

Wyatt: "He was...I miss him...I think my dad does too even if he doesn't show anything"

Matthew: "I'm sure your brother is watching over both of you...and your mother...?"

Wyatt: "She was...just as nice. The best mom, and her special recipe of pancakes...she made the best of the best...she was literally the light in my Father's heart, he never smiled truly ever since she...he was always trying to avoid his pain with his work, he still is..."

Matthew: "Wyatt...I'm sure, he is dealing with his grief...in his own way...I know it's hard but....he will eventually talk...I remember when my father passed away, I would not come out of my room. I played games all day and all night to think about something else...but it never worked, my mother was really worried with me...we barely talked to each other that time and she was probably feeling like she was losing someone else...I still feel bad about how I made her feel but...one day, I was done, I couldn't just be another emotional burden for my mother, she had a lot to deal with and I couldn't be one of it...I started smiling again...for her, and my brothers and sister ...I had to become strong so she wouldn't be sad like I was....what I mean is...Your father is in pain...and so are you, and this situation might end if one of you decides to become stronger..."

Wyatt: "I'm sorry about your father...I must be really a jerk to you, complaining about my dad when...you"

Matthew: "You have a loving dad Wyatt...I'm sure he loves you...so I think...you should show him he can rely on you...maybe it can help solve your situation. I'm not a therapist but if you wish I can talk about my little experience"

Wyatt: "That's very kind of you...but this is a fight I must do alone...but if I'm in a dead end I won't hesitate to ask for your help"

Matthew: "As you see fit"

Wyatt: "so, where were you?"

Matthew looked puzzled.

Wyatt: "I mean before the party, you said you had stuff to do"

Matthew panicked and looked away.

Matthew: "Let's say that I had to visit family I didn't see in a long time"

Wyatt: "Did it go well?"

Matthew: "Well it started really bad but it ended well, better than expected actually"

Wyatt: "glad for you, I don't have any other family besides my father"

Matthew: "it might not be the same as blood links but you can consider me part of your family too"

Wyatt blushed and looked away.

Wyatt: "y-yeah, that's nice....it's been an hour or so..."

Matthew: "I don't mind staying here with you a bit longer"

Matthew smiled and Wyatt's tail wagged softly behind him.